The Cincinnati Reds’ first 40-man roster move of the offseason is a clear reminder of the decisions looming for the front office. Aside from whether or not to exercise the options for Austin Hays, Brent Suter, and Scott Barlow, the Reds need to consider which of their prospects deserve protection in the Rule 5 Draft.
The current crop of talent is close enough to the big leagues to merit serious consideration from other clubs, so the Reds will need to carefully consider their selections. The Reds’ roster currently stands at 39 players, limiting the amount of protection the club can issue without making corresponding moves.